At a glance

Your chance to

At a glance

13 nights in standard hotels, all rooms en suite (12 for Land Only bookings)

Travel by private minibus

Variety of day walks to suit all abilities

Visit five breathtaking national parks

Take in the diverse highlights of the American southwest, from the glittering cities to the wide open spaces. The scale of Yosemite’s pine-clad cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoia will amaze along with the dark red hue of Zion’s sheer rock walls. Walking amongst the multi-coloured stone towers (hoodoos) at Bryce Canyon is perhaps the most enchanting experience as each one seems to come alive in the changing sunlight. With a visit to the incredible Grand Canyon - a mile deep and stretching for 277 miles, this is a classic journey that will leave you in awe.

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start San Francisco; to Yosemite N.P.

After departing San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, we head east through California's historic gold country and make tracks for Yosemite where everything is super-sized, including some of North America's tallest cliffs, waterfalls and trees. We check into our hotel in the scenic Yosemite National Park region - our 'home' for the next two nights.See more images and videos

2Day 2Walking in Yosemite N.P.

Yosemite National Park sits nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range of northern California. Here green forest meets granite walls measuring several thousand feet in height. Rock climbers come from all over the world to scale the rocks whilst hikers get to walk to the base of some of the largest waterfalls in the world. After a visit to see the amazing giant sequoia trees, Yosemite Valley beckons. Here we may bicycle, take a dip in the Merced River or wander the meadows. We get to hike on one of the many trails that allow that enables us to leave the crowds behind. The famous sites situated along these trails include Yosemite Falls, Nevada Falls, Vernal Falls, Mirror Lake and Half Dome. The views are breathtaking from every vantage point - the granite formations of Half Dome, El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks are sure to be forever etched on our minds.

One of the hottest, driest and lowest places on earth, Death Valley is blessed with some of the most extreme and beautiful landscapes. Sculpted by erosion, richly tinted mudstone hills and canyons await exploration, and sand dunes and salt pans make for some exceptional photos. We cover some great distances today, but also get to see some fascinating and contrasting scenery on our road trip.See more images and videos

4Day 4Travel to Zion N.P.

We make our way to Utah and our destination - Zion National Park. Like an oasis rising up from the desert floor, Zion's multi-coloured cliffs and spring-fed hanging gardens are spectacular. Zion Canyon was named by the early Mormon settlers of Utah who thought of it as their 'promised land'. Some of the best hiking in this desert terrain of southwest USA can be found here in and around the fertile Virgin River Gorge. With an early arrival today and two nights here, we will have plenty of time to explore.See more images and videos

5Day 5Hiking in Zion N.P.

We have a full day to further explore the delights of Zion National Park. There are various hikes to choose from, ranging from easy to strenuous ones. We warm up our legs by taking some of the short hikes from the valley floor to view the Lower Emerald pool and then continue on to the sparkling Upper Emerald pools, passing a waterfall along the way to discover Zion's 'beach'. We can also cool off from the summer sun by exploring the Riverside Walk section of the Virgin River.
If you are feeling ambitious, enjoy the park's more challenging option and ascend 760 metres (2500 feet) to experience unbeatable panoramic views from the top of Angels Landing. After a beautiful but strenuous hike along the knife-edge ridgeline you will be rewarded with one of the most breathtaking and powerful panoramas you will ever experience. If weather conditions permit, you may choose to hike deep into the Zion Narrows. Of course, horse riding is available if you'd prefer a seat with a view!See more images and videos

6Day 6To Bryce N.P.; various walks available.

Leaving Zion National Park we climb in elevation to almost 2438 metres (8000 feet) and traverse a high plateau to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a fascinating natural amphitheatre of pink, orange and white sandstone spires, known locally as 'hoodoos'. There are a variety of scenic overlooks and trails that range from easy to moderate in difficulty. The Navajo or Peek-a-Boo Loop trails will enable us to hike right in amongst these unique rock formations. Some of us may prefer to hike on the Queen's Garden or Peekaboo Loop trails or remain on the rim and photograph the ever-changing shadows and hues as the sun makes its way across the wide-open sky.See more images and videos

7Day 7To Lake Powell; visit to Horseshoe Bend.

Returning south along Scenic Highway 89, we descend from the high plateau to the arid plains and past the Vermillion Cliffs en-route to Lake Powell. Located on the border of Utah and Arizona and created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Lake Powell has a shoreline that stretches longer than the western coast of the USA! Many say that Glen Canyon was even more spectacular than the Grand Canyon before the dam was built. Now the lake is a haven for water sports or just relaxing in one of the many sandstone coves. We enjoy our day of fun in the sun and stay overnight in a hotel near this beautiful lake.See more images and videos

8Day 8Jeep excursion with Navajo guide in Monument Valley.

In the heart of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley is sacred land to those who call it home. The red sandstone monoliths and spectacular sunsets and sunrises have been the backdrop to countless 'westerns' featuring cowboys riding off into the desert. We can explore the incredible array of rock formations on an optional guided backroads tour and learn the magic and myth of the rich Native American culture. The Navajo Tribal Lands of Monument Valley are a true photographer's paradise. We enjoy a guided 4X4 exploration of the tribal lands with a Navajo guide, and in the evening enjoy an included dinner by dining out on the famous Navajo tacos.See more images and videos

9Day 9To the Grand Canyon.

After a spectacular sunrise we leave Monument Valley and drive towards Grand Canyon. Traversing the eastern entrance of the canyon, we catch our first glimpse of it at Desert View. This incredible spectacle is difficult to comprehend, even as you stand at the rim or hike down into the canyon. Carved over several millennia, this massive wonder of nature is 445 kilometres (277 miles) long, up to 29 kilometres (18 miles) wide and over 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) deep. Snaking through the canyon floor is the mighty Colorado River, which runs 2330 kilometres (1450 miles) through seven US states and two Mexican states.See more images and videos

10Day 10Optional activities at the Grand Canyon.

In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic flight over the canyon, which offer a perspective that you cannot see by visiting on foot. Also recommended is the film show at the IMAX Theater, which will give you a good overview of the area and how it developed. Alternatively, stroll the easy meandering South Rim Trail, hike your way down the more challenging trail to Plateau Point, or simply relax at the canyon's edge and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the World's natural wonders. There is also time to shop for local souvenirs.

En route to Vegas we travel a section of the original Route 66 and visit the quirky town of Seligman. And now for the hedonistic Sin City, which really has to be seen to be believed. Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in the United States and renowned as the 'tacky capital of the world' - home to pirates and pyramids, weddings and waterfalls. If it is gambling you want, you have come to the right place as nowhere else in the world will you find so many casinos. But if you really want to look at something different, stop by one of its countless wedding chapels.See more images and videos

12Day 12City tour and free time.

In Las Vegas we enjoy a city tour that takes us to some of the quirky things that epitomises this city, as well as learn about some of its colourful history. We also have time for some last-minute bargain shopping and relax by a pool before nights out on the town amidst the bright lights, casinos and world-class shows.See more images and videos

13Day 13To Los Angeles; end.

On our final day we return to California and drive across the great Mojave Desert to the city of Los Angeles.
This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. Flight Inclusive clients depart this evening for an overnight flight.See more images and videos

Your images

Adult Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All accommodation (Land Only bookings start on day 2 so the first night in San Francisco isn't included)

London flights (if booking incl. flights)

Tour Guide throughout

What's not included

All meals

Travel insurance

Single accommodation - GBP790 (land only GBP720)

Accommodation details

Hotels

You will spend 13 nights in standard hotels with en suite facilities. Hotel accommodation will be in clean, comfortable three star hotels or lodges with en suite bathroom facilities, chosen for their friendly atmosphere and proximity to the highlights of the region. You will be roomed with a fellow passenger of the same sex on a twin share basis (two people per room) unless you are travelling as a couple. In the event that you cannot be matched with another passenger there will not be a single supplement charge.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
British, New Zealand, Swiss and most EU passport holders do not need a visa (and enter the country under the Visa Waiver Program), provided they are in possession of an onward air ticket when entering the USA. Visas for the USA are required by some nationalities, including South African, Greek and Portuguese passport holders.
All passengers travelling to and from the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are required to hold a machine-readable passport (MRP). A MRP has the holder's personal details, e.g. name, date of birth, nationality and their passport number contained in two lines of text at the base of the photo page. This text may be read by machine. The US now charges USD14 for the visa waiver program and must be paid by credit card.
The US authorities have introduced a mandatory requirement for all passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for an Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London website. More information and all necessary Internet links can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/Usvisa
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for this trip. Holiday style

This tour is operated in partnership with our sister company Grand American Adventures (GAA). As such the departures are not exclusive to Exodus and groups may be a mixture of Exodus, Grand American Adventures, and other clients. This trip is booked through Exodus and you will receive the same award winning customer service that you are used to. GAA operate with the same core principles used by Exodus and champion the benefits of small group travel.

This is a busy itinerary and you will need to be reasonably fit. All the walking is in the form of optional day hikes which allows walkers to do their own thing - it is essential that you have a reasonable knowledge of the outdoors and show a degree of common sense. The leader will suggest moderate day hikes and will often accompany the group on the walk chosen by the majority. The leader will also advise those who do not wish to participate on the other options available in the area.
Please note, some of the areas are remote and hiking or relaxing will be the only possible entertainment. A few trails require some scrambling over rock slabs and gullies and some are rather exposed.
The trails vary a great deal, as in the more developed parks they are well maintained and defined whilst in the remote parks we might be following a sandy, rocky creek bed or hike cross country over open desert terrain. Crossing shallow streams or wading through a creek (Zion) can be expected. Most of the walking is at moderate altitudes and therefore should not cause any altitude-related problems. Hiking options in Yosemite are quite varied and can be strenuous.
This tour will visit many of the most famous national parks. Driving distances are considerable but we have tried to ensure 2 nights in most places. This is a relatively fast paced tour so on several of the days we will leave early and return after dark. Where we spend 2 nights, the day is usually spent at a park with minimum driving times. Please do note that the West is a big place and the distances might seem long compared to Europe!

Eating & drinking

As no meals are included on this trip, they will all need to be paid for locally. For lunches we will either stop somewhere en-route to our destination on travel days, or buy packed lunch items for the days spent in National Parks. Most of the hotels typically have several choices for meals or are located close to restaurants. At Bryce National Park and Monument Valley the choices are more limited as they are located in less developed areas. On average, breakfasts and lunches range from USD6-20, dinners from USD13-30, depending on if you opt for a picnic, fast food or a sit down meal. These prices do not include alcoholic beverages. Most restaurants offer vegetarian options and can accommodate dietary restrictions. Please note that when eating group meals, a tip of approx. 20% is automatically added to the bill in many U.S. restaurants.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including
detailed itinerary and full kit list

Weather & seasonality

The West is known for its very dry spring, summer and autumn weather and outstanding blue, sunny skies. Being as far south as southern Europe and Northern Africa, temperatures are normally much warmer than in northern Europe. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation you are at. Generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature. Spring and autumn will offer perfect hiking days in the deserts and cooler days at higher elevations. In summer, Yosemite, Bryce and the Grand Canyon offer pleasant temperatures ideal for hiking whereas some of the deserts might experience hotter temperatures. On warmer days, the leader will opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for mid-day rest. Please note the hottest time of day in the deserts is actually 3pm. Most nights will be mild to warm. In the summer months you should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms. Spring offers stunning displays of desert wildflowers, Summer offers mountain wildflowers and in Autumn the tree colours are beautiful.

On early and late departures there is a chance that the higher elevations at Yosemite (Tuolumne Meadows at around 2,700m) cannot be hiked due to cold weather. In that case we would add a second day of lower elevation hiking in Yosemite National Park such as at the Sequoia Trees at the Tuolumne Grove or gentler walks around Mirror Lake. These departures will also have much colder nights at Yosemite; we recommend you bring thermal underwear on those departures due to the colder mountain nights.

Gallery

Reviews & community

A taste of many things! A time to walk alone and travel together. What a great way to discover Western USA.
From walking the Golden Gate Bridge with clear blue skies to the 'awesome' view from Angel's Landing in Zion Valley. From the unforgettable moment you reach the rim of Bryce Canyon to the madness of Las Vegas. As a sworn-in Ranger (a very rigorous assessment) I feel qualified to recommend this trip to those who love variety and do not want to sit on a beach and roast. Fantastic.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Looking over the edge of Bryce Canyon was wonderful OR the precarious climb up to Angel's Landing and then just looking...

What did you think of your group leader?

Devon was very informative and patient. He had a great sense of humour and was passionate about his country. He even tried to teach me the rules and tactics of baseball - what a sport (him, that is). He adjusted the schedule to allow us see a few extra sites. He even even had a word with an obliging barman who slid a glass cold turkey down the bar for me to catch. He was my 'dad'. Devon deserves a pay rise.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Packing and unpacking frequently does not suit all travellers and many hours on the road can be uncomfortable. It terms of money, is important to allow for tips. The cost of tips took some of us by surprise. Top up with water whenever you can (our guide was excellent at reminding us).
When you've taken the trouble to save up, book and travel, do everything.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The optional trip to Antelope Canyon was money well spent. The colours and images were lovely. Likewise, the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon was memorable. In Zion NP, DO make the effort to walk up the 'scary' extra bit from Scout's Landing to Angel's Landing. I stayed up there for 45 minutes. Very rewarding. The tackiness of Las Vegas was worth experiencing once. The blue skies over the indoors Venetian Grand Canal, the atmosphere of the casinos, the lights and sounds and the enormous breakfast at the Paris Hotel - all need to be seen, experienced, heard and savoured...at least once in a lifetime.

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

What is the walking like in the national parks?

The trails vary a great deal, as in the more developed parks the trails are well maintained and defined, although often rocky, whilst in the remote parks we might be following a sandy, rocky creek bed or hike cross country over open desert terrain. Crossing shallow streams or wading through a creek (Zion) can be expected. Most of the walking is at moderate altitudes and therefore should not cause any altitude-relatedproblems.

Karol Rogacki - Americas Operations

What standard of hotels will we be staying in?

Our hotels and cabins are generally centrally located but at times, due to economic and space considerations, they are located thirty minutes from the park gates. Some of the hotels provide luxuries such as pools (generally, open only in summer months) and spas, perfect for relaxation after an active day in the outdoors.Accommodation within the parks is either non-existent or limited. As a result we stay just out side the parks.

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

What is the weather like in the western USA?

The West is known for its very dry spring, summer and autumn weather and outstanding blue, sunny skies. Being as far south as southern Europe and Northern Africa, temperatures are normally much warmer than in Northern Europe. However, temperatures vary greatly depending on the elevation you are at, generally, the higher the elevation, the cooler the temperature and time of year.

Spring and autumn will offer perfect hiking days in the deserts, and cooler days at higher elevations.On warmer days during the peak summer months, the leader may opt for early morning and late afternoon walks, leaving time for mid-day rest. Please note the hottest time of day in the deserts is actually 3 pm.In the summer months you should be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.

In the winter daytime temperatures can drop below freezing and there may be snowfall. Most nights will be mild to warm during the summer but in the winter it will be cold at night, it can be below freezing with snow.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

What kind of clothing is best for North America?

Most useful will be clothing that can be worn in layers; i.e. walking trousers, shorts, light shirts and sweatshirts or jumpers. If you have a choice, a fleece jumper and waterproof jacket are much better than bulky/heavyweight sweaters/ jackets. It will be cold in the evenings in June and September, whilst it can be warm during the day.

Dan Cockburn - Product Manager

I'm travelling via the US, do I need a visa?

Most clients are eligible to travel via the US under the US Visa Waiver Programme, however to do this you must register for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). This must be done prior to departure - more details can be found at www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa.

Rebecca Caldicott - Customer Operations

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